Take Shape for Life - Week #1 Results

Well, I survived the first week!  It wasn't always pretty (see my Day #4 post), but I made it.  The rest of the week (Days #5-#7) went a little bit like this....

I did gain a half a pound back Sunday after eating the pizza.  Honestly though, it was worth it and I'm not going to freak out over it.  If that's what it takes to get me to stick to this eating plan, so be it!  

It was much easier to stick to the eating plan Monday since I was at work.  It's a pain to go out and get lunch anyway, so having my snacks in my purse is the easiest thing ever!  By Tuesday morning, Sunday's half pound was back off.  Tuesday I was driving all day and stuck to the plan as well.

Then came Tuesday night....  The day at work ended on a down note, hubs made me mad, and I'm PMS'ing.  That combo led to me eating Kroger's red velvet cake (also my favorite, but I ate it before I could take a picture) and saying "screw the diet" and anyone who has an issue with my weight!  (When lose my focus on my eating and go off the rails, I go big!!!).

Wednesday, I stuck to the eating plan at work (except for a banana that my co-worker gave me).  Wednesday night, I had some Oreo cookies along with my healthy protein.

Here's the conclusion I've come to:  I'll eat the TSFL food for the most part and drink my water, but if I want to have a piece of pizza or a cookie, I'm not going to beat myself up over it.  I know this means the weight will come off slower, but being crazed over pizza cravings is not a rational way to live.

In the end, with only partially following the TSFL plan, I lost 3.4 lbs this week.  Overall, that's a success!

Product Junkie in the City - The Shower Revelations

I hopped in my shower this past Saturday and started staring at all the products within - what my favorites are and what I don't really care so much for.  And then it hit me - I rarely throw anything away.....

Let's take my shower caddie for example....

As I looked at it, I realized there's only really two things in it that I really love and would deem "favorites" - the "Be Enchanted" shower gel from Bath & Body Works (smells citrus-y and fresh and makes me feel more awake in the morning when I use it) and the little blue face scrubber in the bottom of the caddie that came with an old bottle of facial cleanser.  Other than that, the things in here are just things I'm trying to use up.  

So why would I keep all this stuff I don't even really care for?  

For one, I don't like to waste things.  

Some of these items came in subscription boxes (the upside down little bottle of Nelson Argon Oil Shampoo in the front left and the Macadamia Hair Oil sample in the bottom rack).  The generic conditioner sample is something the hubs brought home from staying in a hotel for work.  The two golden bottles of L'Oreal Shampoo and Conditioner (far right and left) were gifts from my mother-in-law for Christmas.  The big, pink bottle of Soft Soap Strawberry Shower Smoothie was an impulse buy at Kroger b/c I like the scent of strawberries.  The little Luxuvia sample was given to me at the Merle Norman store 5 years ago when I got married.  Throwing these things away would mean wasting money (or savings from throwing away something that was free that I'll have to buy later in another form).

That led to the next revelation - I don't really like to spend my money.

In retrospect, this is what leads me to use credit cards.  More often than not, I have the money to pay for something with cash.  I just don't want to give my cash away.  I want to hold on to it and keep it in a savings account because damnit, I worked hard for that money and what happens if I ever don't have enough!  (Which is the point of Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover.  He tells you to use cash for purchases because it hurts more.  Does it ever!).  

The next revelation - somehow being surrounded by things makes me feel validated.

I'm a visual person.  Closets full of "things" makes me feel like I've achieved something because you have to be successful to have all this stuff, right?  The same with my office at work - the more papers I have on my desk, the more the Company needs me right?  Look at all this work I have to do!  It's not for anyone else to see (I'm actually embarrassed when my desk is messy).  It's for my own personal validation.  (Where did I ever come up with this??)!

The last revelation - I need to purge my closets/drawers.

Look at this sad, little hair clip - 2 of the 3 prongs are broken off.  And yet I've kept it for years.  It still kind of works (if you like the hair-tilting-to-the-side look).  Time for said clip to go bye-bye!

And look at this bra - it is falling apart!  It's from Lane Bryant and I've had it for years and love it!  (It's one of those back smoothing ones and the fabric is so soft).  I paid over $60 for it.  However, I've lost weight and my boobs haven't been the size of this bra since last September/October.  I finally sucked it up and ordered some new bras from Victoria's Secret.  They came today and they fit/aren't falling apart.  It's time for this little (OK, it's big - who am I kidding) puppy to be thrown away too!  Job well done bra!

I've done a little purging as I've lost weight - selling my "fat clothes" on eBay or donating them to AmVets.  I've used the money I've made by selling my clothes to buy new ones that fit and to pay off debt.  I still need to go thru my stuff and get rid of all things broken or damaged that I can't fix (or just don't want to).

At age 36, I know I've accomplished a lot in my life and I'm proud of it.  And I know my company needs me because I am an incredibly loyal, hard worker and always strive to do my best!  "Things" don't define me.  How I live my life each day and treat those around me does!  

Who knew taking a shower could also cleanse my soul?!  Can't wait to see what happens if I decide to cook :).

The Hair Product I Can't Live Without!!

I have tried gobs and gobs of hair products over the years - everything from the $1 Rave hairspray to the $28 L'Oreal shampoo my mother-in-law gave me for Christmas.  I probably went thru 10 different kinds of hairsprays freshman year of high school alone.  (Those cascading water-fall bangs didn't hold themselves up).  It's a never-ending quest for hair fabulosity!

During this quest, I discovered dry shampoo.  I've tried a few different brands, but this one takes the cake!  At age 36, I can honestly say the one product I can't live without is:

Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo Spray

It's my favorite hair product so many reasons:

1.  It's so easy - You just spray it in to your hair like hairspray on the spots where your hair looks oily and rub it around (like when you're washing your hair, but softly).  It has mineral clay in it that absorbs oil and 
2.  It gives your hair great body!
3.  I am too lazy to wash and blow-dry my hair every day. 
4.  Even if I wasn't lazy, I don't have time to wash my hair every day.  (I have long hair, so blow-drying my mane takes over 20 minutes alone).  
5.  It absorbs oil and refreshes hair between washes. (With this stuff, I can go up to 3 days (even 4 on a few occasions) without washing my hair).
6.  It smells great! (It has a citrus smell to it.  Yum!)
7.  It's affordable!  (My local Walmart sells it for $2.88.  What a steal!!) 

 Suave Dry Shampoo - where have you been all my life!!  

Take Shape for Life - Day #4 - The Agitation has Set In.....

Day #4 - Sunday

Morning....

Lost a half a pound yesterday.  At first I was bummed that after only 2 days, the pound+ per day weight loss numbers are already gone.  Then I reminded myself I need to be realistic.  It's not "normal" to lose that much weight per day.  WebMD states you can safely lose 3 lbs per week with a healthy diet and exercise.  TSFL recommends waiting 2-3 weeks before beginning an exercise program though.  (Truth be told, when I lost 40 lbs before, I never did start exercising.  I lost 40 lbs in 3 1/2 months with just sticking (mostly) to the eating plan).

I will say that I'm kicking myself for ever stopping the eating plan back in September.  I would be pretty close to my goal weight by now if I hadn't.  There's no sense dwelling on what "could've been" though.  Day-by-day, I'm trying to stick to the plan now.  So far, those stupid M&M's are still sealed up in their bag in the freezer.  (Yesterday was a close one though.  Were it not for the fact I knew I'd have to admit to eating them on this blog, they would've been devoured.  Even though this blog isn't some nationally famous one, it is read by several dozen people, and to you, I am accountable).  Thank you readers!!

Afternoon....

Tried to will Spring into arriving (as it started to snow) and decided I was going to look for this shirt they had in the People Style Watch magazine that just came.  

Great color, great style, great price.  Was totally going to order it.  Problem is, Forever 21 doesn't sell it anymore thru their website.  Thanks a lot People Style Watch for getting my hopes up!  (Agitation is starting to build)....

So then I go into my "Spring/Summer" closet to do some "closet shopping" - AKA pulling clothes out of my closet that I haven't worn for 6 months instead of buying new clothes).

  
Epic fail!  You know why?  Because other than a few shirts that I've never worn, I'm sick of everything in that closet!  I've either worn it to death, or it's too small right now to wear (AKA - cute pink and mauve striped shirt that I wore back in 2003 and green/white striped skirt I last wore on a cruise many years ago).  Need a light in the closet and it's grey outside.  Got so irritated I decided 90% of this closet is going on eBay this spring!  Agitation builds even more thinking of what a pain in the tail that's going to be to list/ship all this stuff.    

Evening....

Why am I so grumpy?  It's just clothes and it's still snowing outside.  It's not time to even think about wearing this stuff!  Oh yah - because I'm hungry!  I'm pissed off and hungry!!  Just ate some steak from last night (which was fabulous, thank you hubs!), but I want pizza - greasy, cheesy, saucy pizza.

Mind you, I've been thru this before.  I remember how tough the first week was the last time and how at first, eating healthier was just flat out HARD!  I just have to keep going (and stay away from my closet and those damn M&M's).  

No kidding - husband just walked in and brought a pizza with him.  Ugh!  Efff my life!!!!!  Pizza won!  

Why the Name "Product Junkie in the City"?

Ever wonder where bloggers come up with the name for their blogs?  Well, I'll tell you why I named mine what I did.  Here is my hall closet:  

.......  And this is only 2 of the 5 shelves!!

For as long as I can remember, I have loved to collect anything that looks pretty, smells pretty, has a shimmery bottle, etc.  And when I find things I really like, I stockpile them (not like those people you see on TV w/that have 20 years worth of toothpaste in their garage, but I will buy 5 or 6 bottles of something I really love out of fear it might sell out or be discontinued).  I love to try new things - especially make-up and shower gel!  Les Wexner and I should be besties with as much money as I've spent at his stores over the years!

Last year when I was really focused on paying bills off, I put myself on a Bath and Body Works freeze and didn't let myself buy anything there for over 6 months.  I managed to use enough of my existing gels and body sprays during that time to at least use up what wouldn't fit into my poor hall closet.  (And then like a fiend, I went in around Halloween and stocked up on all things pumpkin - Cinnamon Pumpkin, Butter Pumpkin, You-Name-It Pumpkin - I smelled like it).  :)

Living in Columbus (AKA - "the City"), affords me the luxury of having pretty much any store imaginable within 15 minutes of me.  There is literally a huge mall on each of the 4 sides of the I-270 outer belt.  And then once I discovered monthly subscription boxes, it became even easier.  As I mentioned in an earlier blog, at one point, I had 14 subscription boxes coming to my house - most of them filled with beauty products.  And that's where the "Product Junkie in the City" blog was born.....  I can't get enough of this stuff!  This little blog helps me get the word out about what I've found that I like, what I don't like, and what you might want to try out too.  (With a little bit of weight loss accountability thrown in there too).  Hope you enjoy my little posts!  

XOXO,

Stephanie 

Take Shape for Life - Day #3 - 1.8 More Lbs Down!

Day #3 - Saturday - (AKA - the toughest time to stick to an eating plan).  I'm home with my cupboards full of temptation and the hubs (husband), who is not on an eating plan.  The last time I started this plan (on 7/3/13), I threw away all the bad food and tried to rid my cupboards of anything that would tempt me.  That's not really fair to the hubs though.  (Plus, I'm too cheap to throw away perfectly good food, so hopefully he'll eat it when I'm not around).  Perhaps this is a big mistake though.....  

While searching in the freezer last night to find the meat portion of my "lean & green" meal for today, I found these:

Have you ever had these?  If not, let me tell you - they're basically crack!!  (Want to know my favorite chocolate of all time?  These are it!).  I bought a bag at Target just before Christmas and they were so addicting, I was literally driving around Christmas Day trying to find more.  I ended up buying 20 bags of them (no joke - I counted) after Christmas when they were on clearance for 88 cents a bag.  Thought they were all gone, but then I found 2 bags of them in my freezer door.  Had to make myself go to bed last night so I wouldn't eat them.  The craving for them was SO BAD!!!!  (They're still making me salivate!).

Alas, I jumped on the scale this morning and had lost 1.8 lbs yesterday.  See - not eating those M&M's was worth it!  Now I'm off to drink some water and make a TSFL chocolate shake.....

Anyone else out there doing TSFL (or another diet/eating plan)?  If so, how is it going and how do you avoid temptation?  Weight loss is a (personal) war folks, and we need to stick together!

XOXO,

Stephanie

Take Shape for Life - Day #2 - 1.6 lbs Down!

As soon as I woke up this morning, I couldn't wait to get on the scale!  I know this plan works, it's just a matter of having the dedication and willpower to follow it!  Sure enough - I dropped 1.6 lbs since yesterday morning.  Sweet!  

Seeing results of course gave me motivation to stick to the plan today, but it wasn't easy.  In fact, following this plan at times feels like an all-out war is going inside my head with regards to my willpower.  I was in an all-day meeting at my office today and of course (my favorite) Donatos pizza was ordered.  Pieces of juicy cheese pizza were literally to my left and my right.  I didn't cave though.  I sat there instead and drank my water and ate my bag of cinnamon pretzel sticks (which I actually really love).  

After that meeting, I had to run to another meeting an hour away (downside - I nearly peed my pants in the car b/c of drinking so much water).  On my way to the meeting and back from it I passed my favorite place for Japanese food - Gengi Go.  Just thinking about their fabulous steak and fried rice is making me salivate as I'm typing.  Alas, I resisted the urge to stop though.  Go me!

In the end, I got my 5 snacks in throughout the day and even got my water in.  (Maybe even an extra 16 oz b/c I lost count of how much I had drank).  I know I drank at least four 16-oz bottles though.  My chicken breasts to bake in the oven are thawing as we speak.  

I remember from doing TSFL before that the first week or two, the weight falls off, then I'll plateau for a few days.  Sticking to the plan is the key.  However, since I'm in the first week, I can't wait to hop on the scale tomorrow!